Watford stun 10-man Chelsea with three quickfire goals in final minutes of Premier League match for upset win

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Associated Press

Antonio Conte's future as Chelsea manager was cast into further doubt as his 10 men were thrashed by Watford 4-1 in the English Premier League this morning.

Conte called on Chelsea's hierarchy to "prepare a statement ... to say they trust me in my work" ahead of the game but it was another dismal evening for the defending champion, which is 19 points adrift of leader Manchester City.

Chelsea, which lost at home to Bournemouth 3-0 last week, was poor again, especially after Tiemoue Bakayoko was sent off inside half an hour for a second yellow card for a second woeful tackle.

Watford hadn't won since Dec. 26, and got off the mark just before halftime thanks to a disputed penalty. Gerard Deulofeu, charging at the goal, fell over too easily under goalkeeper Thibaut Courotis, and Troy Deeney converted the kick.

Eden Hazard, chosen by Conte to spearhead the attack with new signing Olivier Giroud in the reserves, produced a brilliant equalizer after the break, beating Etienne Capoue and curling home from 25 yards.

But Watford was back in front within two minutes with a terrific goal by Daryl Janmaat. He collected the ball on the right, jinked into the box, exchanged passes with Roberto Pereyra and coolly finished with his weaker left foot.

With Chelsea committing bodies forward, Deulofeu capitalized to lead a counterattack which he finished with a well-taken strike, and Pereyra added the fourth in added time.